Grading and 4th Kyu Seminar - Galway 11/08/2013

On Sunday 11th August 2013 we held a Kyu grading for students from Galway and Mullingar dojos. In all a total of 33 students from both dojos were put through their paces by Sensei Shane Lalor. The grades being attempted ranged from 10th to 3rd Kyu. There were also approximately 10 Brown Belts from Galway dojo also present just for training.  At the end of 2.5 hours the grading came to a close. As is often the case some people will pass and some will be held back.

Following a short break for lunch a much reduced class started working through the 4th Kyu syllabus. We focused on the basic techniques and applications of those. Then we started to look at where else they could be applied and from which different angles of attack would they work best. Along with this we looked at the points of contact of the basic techniques and looked to see what other techniques would work well at that point of contact (and not always techniques from the syllabus either - Zu Tsuki amongst others). At the end of the session Senpai Athony from Westport dojo showed us what he had learned regarding proper bowing at the recent Kancho Kazumi seminar he had attended. With such great emphasis placed on respect in Japan, the spiritual home of Kyokushin, it saddens me to see something so basic as bowing being done incorrectly. It was great to hear what Senpai had learned (which could be the subject of another post - Ill ask Senpai Anthony).

All in all a good day - perhaps not physically hard but sometimes we need to stop and work the brain as well.

Shane

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